9mobile Suffers Major Setback... Loses 300K Subscribers as MTN Roaming Deal Stalls

Telecommunication service provider 9mobile has lost over 300,000 subscribers in just two months, as delays in finalising a long-anticipated national roaming agreement with MTN raise new concerns about the operator’s long-term competitiveness in Nigeria’s telecom sector.

The drop in users, a sharp contrast to the slight growth reported by rivals MTN and Airtel, underscores 9mobile’s deepening struggle to hold on to its market share. Once a more formidable player in Nigeria’s mobile landscape, the company is now contending with service limitations and customer churn at a time when connectivity expectations are higher than ever.

Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reveals that between February and March 2025, 9mobile lost 318,825 subscribers, reducing its customer base to 2.96 million and shrinking its market share from 1.9% in January to just 1.72%.

At the heart of the crisis is the long-delayed national roaming agreement with MTN. First announced in 2021, the deal would have allowed 9mobile users to roam on MTN’s extensive network, particularly valuable in underserved rural areas. But nearly four years later, the partnership has yet to materialise.

In its absence, thousands of 9mobile subscribers have faced poor coverage and inconsistent service. For many, the solution has been simple: switch to a network that works. In today’s always-online environment, gaps in connectivity are more than an inconvenience; they’re a dealbreaker.

"In the current digital era, uninterrupted connectivity is essential rather than optional."

The impact goes beyond numbers. Analysts suggest the stalled deal points to broader strategic and operational issues within 9mobile. Despite several attempts at rebranding and service improvement, the company’s results have remained inconsistent. This latest drop in users may mark a tipping point that forces urgent course correction.

And the timing couldn’t be worse. With MTN, Airtel, and Glo aggressively expanding and investing in innovation and customer engagement, 9mobile risks falling even further behind without bold moves.

Still, there’s a narrow window for recovery. If the roaming agreement with MTN can be revived and finalized swiftly, it could significantly expand 9mobile’s reach and reduce churn. The operator could also explore infrastructure investments, loyalty programs, or new partnerships to regain traction.

But time is running out. Each delay chips away at 9mobile’s relevance, and its place in Nigeria’s fast-moving telecom market.